New York Red Bulls 2025 Squad: Roster, Transfers, and Season Preview

The New York Red Bulls 2025 Squad is gearing up for the MLS 2025 season with a blend of veteran leadership, exciting newcomers, and youth academy prospects. Fans can expect in-depth coverage of the roster, key players, and tactical approach as the Red Bulls prepare to compete in the Eastern Conference. Under new head coach Sandro Schwarz (following Gerhard Struber’s tenure), the team will look to improve on its playoff streak and contend in a competitive conference.

Table of Contents

This article provides a comprehensive look at the 2025 roster, player profiles, transfer news, and tactical insights, with data and examples to inform devoted supporters. (Internal note: For more on last year’s team, see our 2024 season recap.)

Sports Illustrated Stadium – The Red Bulls’ Home Ground

The Red Bulls play at the Sports Illustrated Stadium (formerly known as Red Bull Arena) in Harrison, New Jersey. The 25,000-seat soccer-specific venue opened in 2010 and continues to provide a vibrant home atmosphere. During the 2024–25 offseason the club announced that Red Bull Arena had been renamed Sports Illustrated Stadium under a new naming-rights deal. (Many fans still colloquially call it Red Bull Arena.) Either way, the intimate stadium features steep stands and a close pitch, giving the Red Bulls a strong home-field advantage in front of dedicated supporters. Recent upgrades and fan amenities make it a modern venue, reinforcing the team’s identity as Eastern Conference contenders. The familiar home venue will play a key role as New York pursues another strong MLS 2025 campaign.

2025 Squad Overview and Roster

The 2025 roster features a mix of returning players, new signings, and homegrown talents. Below is a breakdown by position:

Goalkeepers: Carlos Coronel (No. 31) and Ryan Meara (No. 18) form the goalkeeper tandem. Coronel has been the club’s starter since 2019 and will once again command the goal, while veteran backup Ryan Meara provides experience. Coronel has logged 127 appearances for the Red Bulls (with no career goals, as expected) and continues to rank among the league’s top goalkeepers. For example, in 2023 he recorded nine clean sheets – tied for seventh in MLS – and by mid-2025 he already had six shutouts (third-best in MLS). Meara, meanwhile, brings championship experience (he was part of an MLS Cup-winning squad elsewhere) and has 63 appearances with New York.
Defenders: The back line is headlined by left-back Kyle Duncan (No. 6) and center backs Dylan Nealis (No. 12) and Sean Nealis (No. 15), all U.S. nationals. Kyle Duncan (27) has been a key attacking fullback with 5 goals and 15 assists in 131 career apps. The Nealis brothers, Dylan and Sean, provide toughness at center back; Dylan has made 74 appearances with 1 goal, and Sean boasts 139 games and 3 goals. New signing Alexander Hack (No. 5) adds European experience at center back, having reunited with coach Schwarz from their Mainz 05 days. Other defensive players include young U.S. internationals like Noah Eile and John Tolkin (though Tolkin was transferred in January), and homegrowns like Curtis Ofori and Aidan Stokes joining from the academy.
Midfielders: In the midfield, veterans Lewis Morgan (No. 9) and Frankie Amaya (No. 8) lead the attack creation. Morgan (28) – an international from Scotland – returned to the Red Bulls and has been a prolific scorer (26 goals in 58 apps, per roster data). Alongside him, Emil Forsberg (No. 10), a Swedish international, brings creativity; in 2024-25 he notched 6 goals and 3 assists in his first 14 games with the club. Homegrown star Cameron Harper (No. 17) is also crucial on the left wing; he has 6 goals and 6 assists in 79 career games. Other midfielders include Australian import Peter Stroud (No. 5) and Venezuelan talent Wikelman Carmona (No. 19, 4 goals, 2 assists in 64 apps). The midfield looks balanced with attacking flair and physicality.
Forwards: Up front, the team features experienced forwards and exciting prospects. Dante Vanzeir (No. 13) began the season as a Designated Player, with 7 goals and 6 assists in 40 appearances, but he was transferred early in 2025. Another DP striker, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (No. 10), joined from Bayern Munich in February 2025 to bring elite finishing ability. Brazilian Elias Manoel (No. 11) had 11 goals and 6 assists in 62 games before being traded to Real Salt Lake in the offseason. Young forward Roald Mitchell (No. 33) and Homegrown teenagers like Julian Hall (No. 41) are also part of the forward group, providing depth from the academy. These forwards will work under coach Schwarz’s system, with two upfront in many formations.

Key Players for 2025

Several players stand out as key figures for the 2025 campaign:

Carlos Coronel (GK): The veteran goalkeeper anchors the team. His goalkeeper stats speak for themselves – nine clean sheets in 2023 and multiple MLS Team of the Matchday honors. A reliable shot-stopper, Coronel’s experience and form are vital.
Emil Forsberg (MF): The Swedish international playmaker brings creativity. As a designated player signing from Leipzig, Forsberg has a keen eye for goal. He scored 6 goals and added 3 assists in just 14 matches early in 2025, showing he can change games.
Lewis Morgan (MF): The Scottish winger (also an international) is a proven goal-scoring threat. According to roster data, Morgan has tallied 26 goals and 4 assists in 58 appearances. His pace and scoring ability make him one of the Red Bulls’ key players for 2025.
Wikelman Carmona (MF): A young Venezuelan, Carmona has impressed with 4 goals and 2 assists in 64 games. His technical skill provides flair in midfield.
Alexander Hack (DF): As a new signing, Hack adds stability at center back and will be instrumental in defense. His experience in Germany is an asset under Schwarz’s system.
Frankie Amaya (MF): The former FC Cincinnati midfielder returned in 2024 and offers grit and distribution in the center. His impact is felt by his leadership and box-to-box work.
Tim Parker (DF): The returning veteran center back (2023 All-Star) brings leadership and MLS experience to the backline. Although technically a new addition in 2025, he is a familiar face to fans from his prior stint.
Youth Talents: Keep an eye on Julian Hall and Roald Mitchell, young forwards from the academy making their first-team debuts, as examples of the club’s youth academy talents. The club continues to promote homegrowns like Aidan O’Connor and Curtis Ofori, underlining their development pipeline.

Transfers and Squad Changes

The 2025 roster underwent notable changes. A major theme was refreshing the attack and adding defensive depth. Designated Player status (the MLS rule allowing extra salary cap flexibility) was moved from Dante Vanzeir to Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. Choupo-Moting (a former PSG striker) arrived on a free transfer from Bayern Munich in February 2025 to bolster the forward line. The 20-year-old Wiktor Bogacz also joined as a young striker in a U22 roster slot. In midfield/defense, Raheem Edwards signed as a free agent from LA Galaxy (adding depth at left back), and Alexander Hack arrived from Al Qadsiah to reinforce the center back corps. Midfielder Marcelo Morales was another addition, providing another left side option.

Departures included several established contributors. The club traded Brazilian forward Elias Manoel to Real Salt Lake (plus draft picks) for allocation money. Colombian center back Andrés Reyes, a key performer in 2024, was sent to expansion San Diego FC. Homegrown star John Tolkin was transferred to German side Holstein Kiel for around $3 million, opening a slot for new defenders. The Belgian forward Dante Vanzeir (a 2022 DP signing) was sold to Gent, freeing a DP slot. Veteran forward Cory Burke declined his option and left, while goalkeeper A.J. Marcucci and young wing Austin Causey were promoted from Red Bulls II.

The team had no selections in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft, instead relying on trades and signings to shape the roster. These changes indicate the front office’s strategy: trade away high-salary veterans and re-invest in new talent and academy players. The transfer news was a major focus of the offseason, and fans will be watching how the new pieces fit into the squad.

Youth and Academy Prospects

The Red Bulls have a strong youth academy, often integrating homegrown talents into the first team. In 2025, players like Serge Ngoma (No. 22) and Daniel Edelman (No. 75) continue to develop. Ngoma, an 18-year-old from Teaneck, scored 2 goals in 12 appearances last season, hinting at potential. Edelman, another 2003-born winger, contributed 2 goals and 3 assists in 64 appearances. Midfield prospect Bento Estrela (age 19) was signed as a homegrown but did not see action yet. The club’s commitment to youth is clear in signing Aiden Jarvis (No. 22) to a Homegrown contract in early 2025 and giving academy players chances in preseason. Even though Tolkin departed, the pipeline produces players like Curtis Ofori (19, defender) and Omar Valencia (still eligible, arrived from Man City in 2024) to step up. This reliance on academy talent could shape depth and provide cost-effective roster options, aligning with MLS trends. (For more on the draft system and signings, see our guide to the MLS SuperDraft and Homegrown rules.)

Coaching and Tactical Style

The 2025 squad will operate under Head Coach Sandro Schwarz, who was appointed in December 2023. Schwarz, a former Mainz coach, emphasizes organization and attack-minded play. Under his guidance, the Red Bulls are expected to adopt flexible formations, often with one or two strikers. He will likely retain some of the high-intensity style of predecessor Gerhard Struber, but with his own tweaks. Struber (head coach 2020–23) built a reputation for relentless pressing and quick counterattacks. In fact, Struber’s teams were known as “the hardest pressing team in MLS,” living by a Klopp-like mantra of counter-pressing. Even though Struber left the club by mutual agreement, his tactical legacy remains part of the team’s DNA. Players learned to prioritize disruption and speed up play – traits Schwarz can build upon.

Schwarz’s arrival also brought changes. In preseason, he experimented with lineups blending youth and experience. Reports indicate he prefers a single No. 9 striker and overlaps from wingbacks. With signings like Choupo-Moting and Hack, expect the Red Bulls to play a balanced 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2. The midfield trio (with Forsberg as #10) will support wing runs from Kyle Duncan and possibly Evans or Edwards on the other flank. Tactically, the team still leans into high pressure and quick transitions, but Schwarz may emphasize possession more than his predecessors. In interviews, Schwarz noted the importance of “creating emotions” and flowing play. The coaching staff also includes assistant coaches steeped in the Red Bull style, ensuring continuity. Overall, tactical discussions will focus on whether New York can combine Struber’s pressing with Schwarz’s European philosophies.

Eastern Conference Contention

In the MLS Eastern Conference, competition is fierce. Traditional powers like Philadelphia, Orlando, and newcomers like New England and Charlotte will vie for playoff spots. The Red Bulls finished 7th in the East in 2024 (with an 11-9-14 record, 47 points) and were MLS Cup runners-up in the playoffs. For 2025, analysts have mixed predictions, but most agree that New York will be among the Eastern Conference contenders. Their strengths include a potent attack (with Forsberg, Morgan, and Choupo) and a solid defense marshaled by Coronel. The experience of deep playoff runs (as far back as 2013-2015 in MLS Cups) provides confidence. However, the team must gel quickly under Schwarz. Early results and standings will indicate if the Red Bulls can secure a higher seed than 7th and push for home-field advantage.

Several factors could impact their contention: injury luck for key players, how fast new signings integrate, and consistency in tight games. With six teams advancing to the playoffs in 2025 (including one wildcard), New York’s depth and tactical acumen will be tested. If the Red Bulls capitalize on set pieces (Coach Schwarz’s teams tend to practice dead-ball routines) and keep strong road form, they could position themselves as a top Eastern team. The season schedule also includes local derbies against NYCFC and visits to philly, which could swing momentum. Ultimately, the goal is clear: return to the MLS Cup final. Fans should watch the early-season form to gauge whether the Red Bulls live up to “contenders” status.

Multimedia and SEO Considerations

For fans and media covering the team, engaging visuals and schema markup help spread the word. The image above shows the Red Bull Arena packed for a home match, which can be embedded with ALT text like “Red Bull Arena (Sports Illustrated Stadium), home of the New York Red Bulls soccer team.” Using descriptive filenames (e.g. new-york-red-bulls-2025-squad.jpg) and ALT attributes including keywords like “New York Red Bulls” and “Red Bull Arena” will boost accessibility and search relevance. On mobile, the article is formatted for easy reading with concise paragraphs and bullet lists. A friendly URL such as www.example.com/new-york-red-bulls-2025-squad is recommended for the page slug to maximize SEO. Additionally, implementing Article schema for the main content and FAQ schema for the Q&A section (below) can improve search visibility and rich result chances.

Conclusion

The New York Red Bulls 2025 Squad is set to enter the MLS 2025 season with a blend of new talent and familiar faces. The roster overhaul – including DP signing Choupo-Moting and the return of leaders like Tim Parker – suggests a club aiming to be perennial Eastern Conference contenders. With Sandro Schwarz at the helm, Red Bulls fans can expect tactical intensity influenced by Gerhard Struber’s pressing style, but also new approaches. Key players like Carlos Coronel (in goal), Emil Forsberg, and Lewis Morgan will be crucial to the team’s success. The renaming of their home to Sports Illustrated Stadium adds a fresh chapter to the club’s history. In summary, the 2025 Red Bulls squad looks poised to compete strongly, and supporters will be watching to see if the changes made in the offseason translate into wins.

We encourage comments below: share your thoughts on the 2025 roster and who you think will shine this season. Stay tuned for detailed match analysis and follow us for updates!

FAQ

Q: Who are the key players to watch in the New York Red Bulls 2025 squad?
A: Top contributors include GK Carlos Coronel (a league leader in clean sheets), DPs Emil Forsberg and Lewis Morgan (both proven goal-scorers), and defensive leader Kyle Duncan. Homegrown talents like Cameron Harper (79 apps, 6 goals) also play important roles. The new signing Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting is a DP to watch up front.

Q: What were the major transfers for the Red Bulls in 2025?
A: Key ins include DP Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (free transfer from Bayern Munich) and center back Alexander Hack, among others. On the out front, Elias Manoel and Dante Vanzeir (DP) were transferred away, freeing up roster slots. Homegrown star John Tolkin was sold to Germany’s Holstein Kiel. Notably, the team made no picks in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft, so changes came via trades and signings.

Q: How did Gerhard Struber’s tactics influence the team and what changes might be expected under the new coach?
A: Struber’s Red Bulls were known for high-intensity pressing – he built “the hardest pressing team in MLS”. Under Sandro Schwarz, the pressing game remains a foundation, but with likely more emphasis on structured build-up. Fans should expect continued aggressive defense and counterattacks (Struber’s legacy), blended with Schwarz’s tactics learned in Europe.

Q: Will the Red Bulls be strong Eastern Conference contenders in 2025?
A: Yes, the roster changes suggest a competitive team. After finishing 7th in the East in 2024, New York aims higher. With reinforcements in attack and defense, and a playoff pedigree (MLS Cup finalists recently), most analysts peg the Red Bulls as playoff contenders. Of course, performance in early 2025 will reveal their true standing among MLS’s top Eastern teams.